What's a Costco Barn?

OK, so what is a Costco Barn?

A Costco Barn (aka Costco Carport, Costco Canopy, or Costco Shelter) is a temporary/portable canopy of steel poles and white tarp fabric. I'm guessing these were once cheaply available from Costco . As far as I can tell, the term Costco Barn seems to have been originated by Burners in the Seattle area.

Costco Barns cover an area of about 10 x 20 feet. Height is 6½' at the sides, 9' at the center. There are many slight variations on this theme, and the parts tend to not be interchangeable. Costco Barns can cost as little as $200. Amazon.com sells separately the poles & roof and sides .

Four people can assemble one of these in less than an hour.

Costco Barn (Burning Man 2000) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2000) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2001) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2002) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2002) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2002) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2003) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2003) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2003) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2003) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2008) Costco Barn (Burning Man 2008)

Costco Barns stand up well at Burning Man  if properly guyed down with trucker straps and rebar stakes. Otherwise, the sides can become giant sails in heavy winds. It's not pretty when Costco Barns uproot and roll through camp smashing other tents and their occupants.

Costco Barn - Hammering Rebar (Burning Man 2002) Costco Barn - Setting Up (Burning Man 2002) Costco Barn - Setting Up (Phoenix Fest 2005) Costco Barn - Frame (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn - Sledgehammer - Trucker Straps - Rebar (Burning Man 2006) Costco Barn - Assembly (Burning Man 2004) Costco Barn - Blown Over (Not at Burning Man) (Photo by Scott Goodwin)